Case Studies

A bright nine-year-old, Micaela’s chest was expanding inwards rather than outwards, because her ribs were wrongly positioned. Her plight was brought to ACCA by the Community Centre in Lagos and her family doctor; she needed specialist medical equipment – a small vacuum bell – regularly use of which would avoid serious surgery, but the €600 cost was something her parents could not consider (they are in the Centre’s food support programme) and Segurança Social was not prepared to help. ACCA, through its generous supporters, provided the bell... that will literally ring the changes for Micaela.

At age nine Margarida was at school in Estoi where she is doing well educationally. She was born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita and supplied with callipers by the System, which, because they were the cheapest, broke after two weeks. Social Security would not replace them, Margarida’s family could not afford to buy new ones and the child was in a wheelchair for a year.ACCA made a difference, contributing €1,540 towards new calipers, and now Margarida is running everywhere and only has to use crutches when on long walks.

Hugo’s parents were undergoing an acrimonious divorce when his mother set fire to the family home. His older brother is now in a mental institution for his own protection, and ACCA has arranged for Hugo, who is in his father’s care, to have the psychological therapy that is vital to help him re-adjust to life.

Young Rosa, a delightful seven-year-old with spina bifida among her many problems, has been a particularly rewarding case for ACCA. Her progress is surprising the doctors who have been treating her, and the staff at the home she now calls her own; both believe that Rosa would not be leading the life she now enjoys without the help of ACCA and the provision of funding for her treatment and costly medication.

Gabriel suffers with Cerebral Palsy, walks with difficulty and is in pain. The nine-year-old is also epileptic and hyperactive; he has been bullied at school and it is thought he was sexually abused. Gabriel needed stabilisers for his legs, and a cast to sleep in to strengthen his legs. ACCA met this cost and Gabriel now has one less problem to cope with.

At the age of 12, Rodrigo could not do up his shoe laces. And he felt isolated. ACCA provided occupational and speech therapy to help him learn. This is a slow process, but he is getting there. He can now participate in games and feels he is part of his surroundings.

This little one was having weekly therapies at APPC (Associação Portuguesa De Paralisia Cerebral) in Faro but with ACCA’s support those sessions have been increased and Marian’s progress is noticeable. We have also supplied a special swallowing machine so she could take food by mouth and hopefully, soon, the tube can be removed from her tummy.

Pages

ACCA is run by a small Committee who give their time, experience and enthusiasm freely to making the world a better place for these children. Thanks to our generous sponsors, donors, and volunteers we can make a difference, and put smiles on young faces.

7 Campaigns

0.00€ Donated

0 Donors

CONTACT US

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.